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using-skills

Enforces discovery and invocation of applicable skills before any AI response or action.

Updated Aug 28, 2026
Search Tags:#claude code#skills#agent workflow#skill invocation#copilot cli#instruction priority#tool mapping
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/epicodic/drift --skill using-skills-epicodic
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: using-skills
Source: https://github.com/epicodic/drift/tree/main/.agents/skills/using-skills
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/epicodic/drift --skill using-skills-epicodic

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve? AI assistants often skip available skills and answer directly, missing established workflows and producing inconsistent results. This Skill establishes a mandatory check-then-invoke discipline so relevant skills are loaded before any response, including clarifying questions. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Mandatory Skill Check: Requires invoking any skill with even a 1% chance of applying before responding or acting. - Priority and Ordering Rules: Defines precedence between user instructions, skills, and system prompts, plus ordering for process versus implementation skills. - Cross-Platform Tool Mapping: Ships reference tables mapping Claude Code tools to Copilot CLI and Codex equivalents. - Use Case: A user asks to fix a bug; instead of diving into code, the assistant first invokes the debugging skill, announces its use, and follows its checklist exactly. ## Quick Start Ask the assistant to check for and invoke any applicable skills before answering your next request.

Frequently Asked Questions about using-skills

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I make an AI assistant always use available skills?▼

Install a skill-enforcement instruction that requires invoking any potentially relevant skill before responding. The using-skills rule mandates a check even for simple questions, clarifying requests, or quick file lookups.

What is the correct order for applying multiple skills?▼

Apply process skills like brainstorming or debugging first since they determine how to approach the task, then implementation skills that guide execution. For example, brainstorm before building, and debug before applying domain-specific fixes.

Do skills override user instructions in CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md?▼

No, explicit user instructions always take highest priority. Skills override default system prompt behavior, but if CLAUDE.md says to skip a workflow that a skill mandates, the user's instruction wins.

How do skills work in Copilot CLI versus Claude Code?▼

Copilot CLI uses the skill tool with equivalent mappings: view for Read, edit for Edit, bash for Bash, and sql for TodoWrite. The references directory contains full tool-mapping tables for Copilot CLI and Codex.

When should a subagent skip the using-skills check?▼

A subagent dispatched to execute one specific task should skip this skill entirely, as indicated by the SUBAGENT-STOP block. The check applies to primary conversation handling, not delegated subtasks.

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